ABSTRACT
The resistor is the simplest and also the most fundamental of all electronic components. It is designed to have a constant resistance across all frequencies and under all normal circuit conditions (within reason). The resistance value measured in ohms is the most important quantity describing any given resistor. There are however quite a number of characteristics which together define the precise nature and performance of any resistor. Resistors come in values from a fraction of an ohm up to several million ohms (the most commonly used values are generally in the range 100O to 1MO). It would be impractical for manufacturers to offer every conceivable resistor value in these ranges, and so this has led to the use of the E-series preferred values. The coloured stripes on a standard through hole resistor tell two things: the resistance value and the manufacturing tolerance.
